Average
#2767 of 3,777 schools in FL
Chester Shell Elementary School
Elementary School · ALACHUA
21633 SE 65TH AVE, Hawthorne, FL 32640
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
323
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hawthorne
#2 of 3
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#1,879 of 2,196
In district
#39 of 54
ALACHUA
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Chester Shell Elementary School
Chester Shell Elementary School is a rural public elementary school located in Hawthorne, Florida. Serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students, Chester Shell has an enrollment of 323 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.8 out of 10, placing it in the 24th percentile among Florida schools when ranked by overall academic performance.
Academically, Chester Shell shows room for growth, with 31% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency levels in ELA and reading, and 33% doing so in math. The school community focuses on student development, striving to enhance educational outcomes for its diverse group of young learners. Situated in a rural area, the school benefits from close-knit relationships within its local setting, fostering a supportive environment for students and families alike.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Chester Shell Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Chester Shell Elementary School — Students at Chester Shell Elementary School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.6/10.
How Chester Shell Elementary School Compares
See how Chester Shell Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 27% (2021).
Location
21633 SE 65TH AVE, Hawthorne, FL 32640
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Chester Shell Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MELROSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Melrose), which scores notably higher. Another option is LAKE FOREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Gainesville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MICANOPY AREA COOPERATIVE SCHOOL INC. (rated 8.1/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Micanopy), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hawthorne, see our Hawthorne schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 32640 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,727
Median Home Value
$153,600
Median Rent
$959/mo
Population
10,780
College Educated
14.1%
Homeownership
84.3%
Avg Commute
34.2 min
Poverty Rate
16.6%
Median Age
46.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Chester Shell Elementary School has a median household income of $58,727. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,600, with a median rent of $959/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. The average commute for residents is 34 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ATHENIAN ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL Fort Myers, FL | 5.4 |
| GARDEN CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL | 5.4 |
| HILLTOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wauchula, FL | 5.4 |
| STEPHEN FOSTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gainesville, FL | 5.4 |
| BRENTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miami Gardens, FL | 5.5 |
| BRENTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pensacola, FL | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Chester Shell Elementary School
What grades does Chester Shell Elementary School serve?
Chester Shell Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Chester Shell Elementary School?
Chester Shell Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 323 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Chester Shell Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Chester Shell Elementary School is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Chester Shell Elementary School rank in FL?
Chester Shell Elementary School is ranked #2767 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Chester Shell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Chester Shell Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Chester Shell Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chester Shell Elementary School has 33.0% math proficiency and 31.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Chester Shell Elementary School a charter school?
No, Chester Shell Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Chester Shell Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Chester Shell Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chester Shell Elementary School?
84.5% of students at Chester Shell Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (506/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 323
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Alachua County
- Phone
- (352) 481-1901
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ALACHUA- District Enrollment
- 28,749
- Schools in District
- 68
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,075
- District Rank
- #39 of 54
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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